These Live 2022 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Follow
@walterfootball for updates.
2022 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 |
Picks 17-32 |
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NFL Draft Team Grades
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Washington Redskins: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina - A+ Grade
One team we spoke to had Sam Howell as their second-ranked quarterback, so it's insane that he fell so far. Carson Wentz may have trouble sticking around in Washington, so the Redskins needed someone to eventually compete with him. Howell's height is an issue, but he's a solid quarterback prospect otherwise.
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Kansas City Chiefs: Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky - A+ Grade
Two A+ grades to begin Round 5! Darian Kinnard has good athleticism for a big offensive lineman, so I thought he'd go in the third round. This is great value, though it's worth noting that there are injury concerns. Still, there's barely any risk in Round 5.
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New York Giants: Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana - C Grade
The Giants are taking a late-round/UDFA prospect in the fifth round, which isn't ideal. However, it is Round 5, so reaches mean much less at this juncture. Linebacker is a need, so perhaps McFadden will beat expectations.
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New York Giants: D.J. Davidson, NT, Arizona State - C- Grade
Speaking of late-round/UDFA players, D.J. Davidson was never on my radar as someone to put in my mock draft. He declared early, and he's a big run-stuffer, but I'm not sure he'll be in the NFL in a couple of years.
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Buffalo Bills: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State - A Grade
The Bills didn't really need a receiver, but they're getting terrific value with Khalil Shakir, whom I had in the third round of my mock draft. Shakir has decent size and good athleticism, and he's a versatile threat. I just worry that he'll be lost on a deep depth chart.
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Washington Redskins: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada - B- Grade
For a second, I thought the Redskins drafted Cole Strange, which would have been a good spot for him. Cole Turner is a tight end rather than a guard, and the Redskins needed one with some free agency departures. I think this is a bit too early for Turner, but it's the fifth round, so that doesn't mean as much in this area.
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Houston Texans: Thomas Booker, DE, Stanford - B+ Grade
This is a solid pick, as I had Thomas Booker in this area. Booker is a versatile defensive lineman who can play in any scheme. The Texans needed help up front, but then again, they need help everywhere.
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Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU - A- Grade
The Falcons finally found a running back! Tyler Allgeier is a raw running back because he used to play linebacker, but he's a solid prospect who catches passes well. I thought he'd go a round earlier, so I like this pick. Allgeier could eventually start for Atlanta.
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Denver Broncos: Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, Oklahoma - B Grade
The Broncos need to get younger at safety, so this pick makes a lot of sense. Delarrin Turner-Yell is someone I mocked around this range, so this is a solid pick for Denver.
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Seattle Seahawks: Tariq Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio - A+ Grade
This is a classic fifth-round cornerback pick by the Seahawks. Tariq Woolen is tall and athletic like other corners Seattle has drafted. Woolen would've been taken much earlier if it weren't for health worries, but this is incredible value that fills a need. I love this selection.
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Snoop Conner, RB, Ole Miss - D Grade
What are the Jaguars doing? Why did they move up from the sixth to the fifth round to take a power runner they could've drafted in the sixth round? Stupid.
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Dallas Cowboys: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota - B+ Grade
The Cowboys are really making sure that they're shoring up their offensive line. Matt Waletzko is someone I've had in the fifth and sixth round of my mock drafts, so he definitely fits the range. This is a solid pick.
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Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati - C Grade
Jerome Ford doesn't fill a need at all for the Browns, who are extremely deep at running back. With so few picks, I don't think the Browns could afford to make selections like this, though I don't hate the prospect. Jerome Ford figures to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State - A Grade
I love the value and the fit of this pick. Zyon McCollum has nice size and length for a cornerback, and I thought he would be chosen in the fourth round, or perhaps even the third frame. The Buccaneers had to find better depth at cornerback, and McCollum should provide that.
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Seattle Seahawks: Tyreke Smith, DE, Ohio State - B+ Grade
The Seahawks entered the draft desperately needing to upgrade their horrible pass rush. Tyreke Smith, joining Boye Mafe, should help make that happen. Smith was someone I expected to be drafted in this range, so I like this pick.
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Indianapolis Colts: Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State - B+ Grade
The Colts had a horrible pass rush last year, so they had to find help in that regard. Eric Johnson is a solid player with nice size and length whom I frequently mocked in this range, so I like Indianapolis' decision to take him.
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Los Angeles Chargers: Otito Ogbonnia, NT, UCLA - A- Grade
People thought the Chargers would select a monstrous nose tackle to help them improve their woeful run defense earlier than this, but better late than never. Otito Ogbonnia is a solid value in this range, and he projects to fill a big need.
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New Orleans Saints: D'Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State - B+ Grade
The Saints were considering Quay Walker at No. 19, so this is better late than never for linebacker help that the team needed. D'Marco Jackson is a solid fifth-round prospect I've constantly had in this range, so this is a quality selection.
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Denver Broncos: Montrell Washington, KR, Samford - C Grade
Montrell Washington wasn't on my radar at all for any of my mock drafts, perhaps because he's just a special teamer. He could end up being a good kick returner for the Broncos, but I have to admit that I didn't get to watch many Samford games.
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Tennessee Titans: Kyle Phillips, WR, UCLA - B Grade
This is a decent pick. The Titans may have been able to obtain Kyle Phillips a bit later, but that's not a big deal at this juncture. He potentially fills a need in the wake of the A.J. Brown and Julio Jones departures. Kyle Phillips is a quick receiver and a strong route runner.
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Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame - B- Grade
I don't know why the Rams traded up for a running back, but at least there's some value with this pick. Kyren Williams struggled at the combine, but he figures to be a solid receiver out of the backfield in the NFL.
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Minnesota Vikings: Esezi Otomewo, DE/DT, Minnesota - B- Grade
The Vikings are familiar with this local player, who will be a fine depth fit in the team's new 3-4 defense. I never slotted Esezi Otomewo into any of my mock drafts, but he was always in consideration in the late rounds.
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Cincinnati Bengals: Tycen Anderson, S, Toledo - A- Grade
It's no surprise that Tycen Anderson is the pick here for the Bengals, given that they were dead set on upgrading their secondary entering the 2022 NFL Draft. I had Tycen Anderson in the fourth round of my re-draft, so he could have been chosen earlier than this.
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Dallas Cowboys: DaRon Bland, CB, Fresno State - B Grade
This may seem like a bland pick for the Cowboys (sorry), but it could help their secondary, which needed to improve. DaRon Bland, a fast corner, is someone I had in the sixth round, but a slight reach like this in the middle of the fifth round isn't a big deal.
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Chicago Bears: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah - A Grade
I can't believe it. Did the Bears just provide help for Justin Fields? I never thought they'd do that twice in this draft. Braxton Jones is a much-needed blocker for Chicago's putrid offensive line, and he could have easily been chosen a round earlier than this.
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Minnesota Vikings: Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina - C- Grade
This pick neither fills a need or provides value. Ty Chandler is a late-round/UDFA guy, and the Vikings have a log jam at running back. Chandler can catch passes out of the backfield well, but I can't see him contributing anytime soon.
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Houston Texans: Teagan Quitoriano, TE, Oregon State - D Grade
I never had Teagan Quitoriano on my radar at all. He's just a blocking tight end, which can be found anywhere. This seems like a pick that could easily have been made in the seventh round.
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Denver Broncos: Luke Wattenberg, C, Washington - C Grade
Luke Wattenberg is another player I didn't consider in my mock drafts, but at least he fills a need. The Broncos need to protect Russell Wilson as well as possible, and they were looking for some center competition.
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San Francisco 49ers: Samuel Womack, CB, Toledo - C Grade
Another prospect who wasn't on my board at all. Samuel Womack was a productive cornerback at Toledo, but I don't think he projects well into the NFL. Still, he could potentially fill a big need at corner for the 49ers.
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New York Giants: Marcus McKethan, G, North Carolina - B Grade
I'm a big fan of the Giants adding offensive help because C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young will sorely need it in 2023. Marcus McKethan never made it into any of my mock drafts, but he was always on the cusp.
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Chicago Bears: Dominique Robinson, DE/OLB, Miami of Ohio - A Grade
Khalil Mack's replacement! Dominique Robinson has some huge shoes to fill, but I love this pick. I thought Dominique Robinson could go early on Day 3, so this is great value. Robinson should be able to help with the pass rush because of his relentlessness.
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Las Vegas Raiders: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee - B+ Grade
Another defensive tackle for the Raiders, but this one is a lot lighter. He'll help the team generate pressure on the quarterback, which is essential in their division. The range is perfect for Butler.
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Dallas Cowboys: Damone Clark, LB, LSU - A+ Grade
Love it! Damone Clark would have been a second-round prospect if it weren't for spinal surgery. Those are two scary words, which is why he dropped three rounds. Clark may never play in the NFL, but if he can make it back from injury, he could end up being an excellent player for Dallas.
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Detroit Lions: James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech - A- Grade
The Lions are concerned about not being able to retain T.J. Hockenson past the 2022 season, so this pick makes sense from that regard. It's also a solid value choice, as James Mitchell could've gone in the fourth round with no complaints.
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Dallas Cowboys: John Ridgeway, DT, Arkansas - A Grade
The Cowboys are on fire at the end of the fifth round. John Ridgeway is someone I slotted in the third- or fourth-round area, so I love this value. Ridgeway is a big player who can help stop the run, which is essential against Philadelphia.
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Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina - A- Grade
The Packers were looking for edge-rushing depth after losing Za'Darius Smith this offseason. Kingsley Enagbare, who was a quality pass rusher at South Carolina, should be able to fill that need. I had him a round earlier than this.
2022 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades
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